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[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 245 (Friday, December 20, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 104160-104162]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-30480]

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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

[30Day-25-0234]

Agency Forms Undergoing Paperwork Reduction Act Review

    In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Centers 
for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has submitted the information 
collection request titled ``National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey 
(NAMCS)'' to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and 
approval. CDC previously published a ``Proposed Data Collection 
Submitted for Public Comment and Recommendations'' notice on September 
20, 2024 to obtain comments from the public and affected agencies. CDC 
did not receive comments related to the previous notice. This notice 
serves to allow an additional 30 days for public and affected agency 
comments.
    CDC will accept all comments for this proposed information 
collection project. The Office of Management and Budget is particularly 
interested in comments that:
    (a) Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is 
necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, 
including whether the information will have practical utility;
    (b) Evaluate the accuracy of the agencies estimate of the burden of 
the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the 
methodology and assumptions used;
    (c) Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to 
be collected;
    (d) Minimize the burden of the collection of information on those 
who are to respond, including, through the use of appropriate 
automated, electronic, mechanical, or other

[[Page 104161]]

technological collection techniques or other forms of information 
technology, e.g., permitting electronic submission of responses; and
    (e) Assess information collection costs.
    To request additional information on the proposed project or to 
obtain a copy of the information collection plan and instruments, call 
(404) 639-7570. Comments and recommendations for the proposed 
information collection should be sent within 30 days of publication of 
this notice to www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain. Find this particular 
information collection by selecting ``Currently under 30-day Review--
Open for Public Comments'' or by using the search function. Direct 
written comments and/or suggestions regarding the items contained in 
this notice to the Attention: CDC Desk Officer, Office of Management 
and Budget, 725 17th Street NW, Washington, DC 20503 or by fax to (202) 
395-5806. Provide written comments within 30 days of notice 
publication.

Proposed Project

    National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NAMCS) (OMB Control No. 
0920-0234, Exp. 11/30/2025)--Revision--National Center for Health 
Statistics (NCHS), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Background and Brief Description

    The National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NAMCS) was conducted 
intermittently from 1973 through 1985, and annually since 1989. The 
survey is conducted under authority of Section 306 of the Public Health 
Service Act (42 U.S.C. 242k). NAMCS is part of the Ambulatory Care 
Component of the National Health Care Surveys (NHCS), a family of 
provider-based surveys that capture health care utilization from a 
variety of settings, including hospital inpatient and long-term care 
facilities. NHCS surveys of health care providers include NAMCS, the 
National Electronic Health Records Survey (NEHRS, OMB Control No. 0920-
1015), the National Hospital Care Survey (OMB Control No. 0920-0212), 
and the National Post-acute and Long-term Care Study (OMB Control No. 
0920-0943).
    An overarching purpose of NAMCS is to meet the needs and demands 
for statistical information about the provision of ambulatory medical 
care services in the United States. This fulfills one of NCHS missions; 
to monitor the nation's health. In addition, NAMCS provides ambulatory 
medical care data to study: (1) the performance of the U.S. health care 
system; (2) care for the rapidly aging population; (3) changes in 
services such as health insurance coverage change; (4) the introduction 
of new medical technologies; and (5) the use of electronic health 
records (EHRs). Ongoing societal changes have led to considerable 
diversification in the organization, financing, and technological 
delivery of ambulatory medical care. This diversification is evidenced 
by the proliferation of insurance and benefit alternatives for 
individuals, the development of new forms of physician group practices 
and practice arrangements (such as office-based practices owned by 
hospitals), the increasing role of advanced practice providers 
delivering clinical care, and growth in the number of alternative sites 
of care.
    Ambulatory services are rendered in a wide variety of settings, 
including physician/provider offices and hospital outpatient and 
emergency departments. Since more than 65% of ambulatory medical care 
visits occur in physician offices, NAMCS provides data on the majority 
of ambulatory medical care services. In addition to health care 
provided in physician offices and outpatient and emergency departments, 
health centers (HCs) play an important role in the health care 
community by providing care to people who might not be able to afford 
it otherwise. HCs are local, non-profit, community-owned health care 
settings, which serve approximately over 30 million individuals 
throughout the United States.
    This Revision seeks approval to conduct changes to all three 
components of NAMCS. We plan to adjust the HC Component and Provider 
Survey Component sample sizes. In 2025 the goal is to sample 10,000 
advanced practice providers and up to 151 HCs. In 2026 CDC plans to 
sample up to 10,000 physicians and up to 171 HCs. Lastly, if funds 
allow, in 2027 we will sample up to 10,000 advanced practice providers 
and up to 191 HCs. For 2025-2027, there will be an additional 3,000 
providers sampled yearly for the Provider Electronic Component. 
Additionally, questions on the Provider Facility Interview, Health 
Center Facility Interview and the Ambulatory Care Provider Interview 
will be modified. CDC requests OMB approval for an estimated annual 
22,107 burden hours. There is no cost to respondents other than their 
time.

                                        Estimated Annualized Burden Hours
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                    Number of       Avg. burden
          Type of respondents                   Form name            Number of    responses per    per response
                                                                    respondents     respondent       (in hrs.)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
HC's Staff............................  HC Facility Interview                84                1           45/60
                                         Questionnaire (Survey
                                         year: 2024).
                                        Prepare and transmit EHR             50                4           60/60
                                         for Visit Data
                                         (quarterly) (Survey
                                         year: 2024).
                                        Set-up Fee Questionnaire             17                1           15/60
                                         (Survey year: 2024).
Provider or Staff.....................  ACPI (Survey year: 2026).         3,333                1           30/60
                                        Contact Tracing (Survey           3,333                1           10/60
                                         year: 2026).
Advanced Practice Provider or Staff...  ACPI (Survey year: 2025 &         6,667                1           30/60
                                         2027).
                                        Contact Tracing (Survey           6,667                1           10/60
                                         year: 2025 & 2027).
Ambulatory Care Provider's or Group's   PFI (Survey year: 2025-            3000                1           45/60
 or Conglomerate's Staff.                2027).                            3000                4           60/60
                                        Prepare and transmit
                                         Electronic Visit Data
                                         (quarterly) (Survey
                                         year: 2025-2027).
HC's Staff............................  HC Facility Interview               221                1           45/60
                                         Questionnaire (Survey
                                         year: 2025-2027).
                                        Prepare and transmit EHR            188                4           60/60
                                         for Visit Data
                                         (quarterly) (Survey
                                         year: 2025-2027).
                                        Set-up Fee Questionnaire             17                1           15/60
                                         (Survey year: 2025-2027).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 104162]]

Jeffrey M. Zirger,
Lead, Information Collection Review Office, Office of Public Health 
Ethics and Regulations, Office of Science, Centers for Disease Control 
and Prevention.
[FR Doc. 2024-30480 Filed 12-19-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-P
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